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HORTON 6L WOOD Clock Test.

Patented July 11, 1867.

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Emma 3 HENRY B. HORTON AND MERRITT L. WOOD, OF ITHACA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO THE ITHAOA CALENDAR CLOCK COMPANY, OF THE SAME PLACE.

Letters Patent, 1V0. 65,748, datccl June 11, 1867.

IMPROVEMENT IN CALENDAR CLOCKS.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that we, HENRY B. I"IORTO.\" and MERRITT L. V0013, of Ithaca, Tompkins county, New York, have invented a mode or means of proving or testing the calendars of Calendar Clocks .and we do hereby declare that the following isa full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon. I

Our object is to actually move or run the calendar the space of any desired time or number of years, by any convenient mechanism, in a shorttime. Thus in a calendar clock, keeping the month, day of the month, and day of the week, the space of a few months; and in a. calendar clock having adjustments in part or whole for leap year, four or more years; and in a clock having a perpetual calendar, at least one complete revolution, or actual performance of its mechanical adjustment. To effect this we make two devices, first, to secure by any convenient means an adjustability so that the calendar of the clock can be run independently of the time movement. This is for convenience in setting a clock going at any time; and for testing its accuracy by suitable machinery, as well as aiding in the manufacturing arrangement of the several parts of a calendar clock; second, a mechanism by which one or more calendars can at any convenient speed be run through their changes, and thus be proven. This is seen in the drawings, where- Figure 1 is a view of a calendar clock, open at its back, and ready to be proven. The calendar is that patented to HEXRY B. HORTON, April 18, 1865, and'August 28, 1866, and the case August 28, 1866.

Figures 2 are parts attached to and connected with the time movement of the clock, namely, the twentyfonr hour cog-wheel, and the time'calendar cam. There are also seen several forms of our device for moving the calendar, independently of the time movement.

Figures 3 are side views of a part of our test-line or proof series; and

Figure 4 is a top view, looking down on the test-line.

In fig. 1, A is the time-calendar cam, connected through the twenty-four hour wheel with the time movement, and with the calendar by the slotted wire or rod, and rod In fig. 2, A a, at the left hand, is the timecalendar cam, enlarged and drawn separate from the rest of the-clock, showing its connection with the twentyfour hour wheel B, and directly below it is the slotted rod," loop, or escape C, of this cam, made as patented in the references. At A b, the middle figure of fig. 2, andjust below it in C a, is the 'same cam and wheel, as also at A c, and C b, the right-hand figure of fig. 2; below each being seen the peculiar structure of each, which is that at A a. The letter D indicates the test-wire or rod, which at C, just below it, is seen'fast to the tube E, which holds the cam A. The shaft F is cleft, and the wedge G in the cleft.

The operation of this is, when the time movement and the calendar are connected, the wedge Gris driven so as to cause friction enough tomovc the calendar by the time movement, and yet allow, without injury, the calendar to be rapidly tested. Or we withdraw the wedge while testing the calendar, and then drive the wedge and fix the cam A iminovahly after the proving is done. The wire or red D is bent as a crank, to he used when setting by hand the calendar at any time. And the wedge, tube, or collar, holding the cam, and the controlof adjustment they give, is useful in the manufacture of clocks.

In figs. A b, and C a, of fig. 2, another form of the same device is given; the same parts A, B, E, and D, being used, but the pin H is put through the tube E and shaft F; and when it is out, the calendar can be tested by hand or machinery, and when in the time-calendar cam can be moved only by the time movement.

In figs. A c, and C I, of fig. 2, the same parts are drawn, only that at I is a friction bearing on an adjustahle fixture on the twenty-four hour-wheel. for the same purpose as described.

Such is the first part of our invention, though we do not confine ourselves to any one particular structure.

Next, in fig. 3, are drawn the wheels J J a, J b, and the pitman K; the dotted lines showing that the wheels J, 820., are put in any convenient position, and at any convenient distance apart. By any convenient power, through a belt or cogs, or other means, the middle wheel of the test-line or machine is revolved, and thus by the pitman any convenient number of clocks is at once tested. Experience has shown that a simultaneous calendar change in the line acts as a mutual test or check of accuracy in each clock.

In fig. 4 the same wheels J. an convenient number, are represented, and the pitnia-n K, as well as the frames L and M, that support the shaft N s of the series; at the opposite ends of which are the cranks O, seen to be arranged so as to move simultaneously the clocks by the rod D of fig. 1 and' tig. 2. The use of the cranks O is, that when any convenient number of clocks or calendars is to be tested, they are placed on a shelf, platform, in cradles, or other holder or holders, each oneseparate, or the whole series together, as most desirable, and the rods D are brought in contact with the cranks O, and thus the calendars are moved by the power applied to the test-lineor proof series, as long as the operator sees fit; one clock or the whole being removable or added to the test-line at pleasure, whether the test-line be in motion or at rest. Practically the speed of one days revolution of thetime-calendar cam every three to five seconds is a convenient one, or one, four, eight, twelve, or other number of years maybe made of calendar changes, just as if the veritable time had elapsed, in a convenient space ofactual time.

Thus we make our second device, though we do not limit ourselves to the exact mode of making our testline or machine, nor to its exact shape in any part of it. The further use and eficcts of the devices we have described are apparent to those skilled in the art to which it appertains.

1. Yo claim the interposition of the connecting devices, made as described, between any convenient part of the time movement and of the calendar, and all equivalents therefor, when so constructed that the calendar can be tested or proven, with or without motion of the time movement, or any portion thereof, the said devices being applied to any part or point of the time movement, or connected therewith, for the-purpose of testing by machinery the calendar, when substantially made as and accomplishing what has been described.

2. We claim a changeable or self-adjusting fixture on or connected with the shaft ofthe twenty-four {hour wheel, as specifically shown by the use of the wedge G, pin H, through the tube E, and shaft F, and also at I, as set forth. A i

3. \Ve claim, broadly, the employment of the mechanism described, or any equivalent thcreunto, by which one or more calendars are tested or proven, after the clock and calendar, or clocks and calendars, are completed, and further, we claim broadly the machinery by which one or more calendars are tested or proven, whether the calendar or calendars are connected with the time movementor not.

4. \Ve claim specifically the employment of the crank or cranks O, or other conveniently made equivalent, with the rod or rods D, or other equivalent, by which the time-calendar cams A of separate clocks are moved, for the purpose of testing or proving them by machinery as described. 4 v

5. We claim broadly arranging and making a suitable machine or mechanism for the purpose of applying to and removing from the same, in any convenient manner, one or more calendar clocks, either in aifinishcd or of any partially completed state, for the purpose of trial, test, or proving of the calendar or any of its parts, or of any part or portion of the time movement necessary to the connection of the timemovement and calendar, when substantially accomplishing the end or object we desire and have described.

6. We claim so arranging a series of calendar clocks, and also of calendars only, in connection with our test-line or mechanism, that the changes of months, days of the month, and days of the week, or other appropriate changes of calendar clocks, are made simultaneously, or nearly so, through the. whole line or series, for the purpose of mutually proving or testing each other, thus making apparent any'defect of construction or operation in any one or more of them, as described.

7. To claim testing calendar clocks by applying to or actuating their movements by a propelling or driving mechanism, in such a way that these movements may be accelerated to the extent and purpose set forth in this specification, using therefor such propelling machinery as is herein set forth, or any equivalent therefor, and

the interposition of the connecting devices set forth, or any equivalent therefor.

' HENRY B. HORTON,

MERRITT L. WOOD.

Witnesses SAMUEL J. PARKER, F. J. McELuENY. 

